Slide handle clutch bag



Nw. 2%, 1955 M. KAPLAN 29725593@ SLDE HANDLE CLUTCH BAG 2 Sheets-Shea?, l

Filed Feb. 16, 1955 I N VEN TOR. MAX MPa/.4N

Nov. 29, 1955 M, KAPLAN l 2,725,088

SLIDE HANDLE CLUTCH BAG Filed Feb. 16, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR. mx MPL/w Unitedl States Patent() SLIDE HANDLE CLUTCH BAG Max Kaplan, Bronx, N. Y.

Application February 16, 1955, Serial No. 483,57 7

16 Claims. (Cl. 150.-33)

This invention relates to ladies handbags and more particularly to handbags of the envelope or under-arm type, sometimes referred to as clutch bags. Such handbags are usually soft or frameless, and are made without a carrying handle, but often it would be convenient to have a handle.

One object of the present invention is to make a handbag of the envelope type which also has a handle. A further object is to provide such a handbag with a slidable handle which may be raised out of the bag body when desired, or slid back into the bag body when not needed.

Still another object of the invention isV tov provide a rigid metal handle structure which may be slidably related to and used in an envelope bag which is soft and frameless.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the handbag and handle elements and their relation one to another, as are hereinafter more particularly described in the followingv specification. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of an envelope bag embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the bag, with the handle in down-position;

Fig. 3 is a similar view, withthe handle in raised posi,- tion, and with a part f the back of the bag cut' away;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the bag;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a preferred form of handle for the bag, with the parts of they handle assembled outside the bag for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section drawn to enlarged scale and localized in the plane of the line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view explanatory of the construction of the handle;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section drawn to enlarged scale and taken approximately in the plane` of the line 88 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section drawn to enlarged scale and taken approximately in the plane of line 9 9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section drawnl to enlarged scale and localized at the plane of line 1'0-10 of Fig- 3; and

Fig. l1 is a partially sectioned end elevation explanatory of a modication of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l through 4, the handbag there shown comprises a handbag body 12 and a handle having a top bar- 14 and end posts 16 and 18. There is also a flat plate 20 secured edgewise to the lower ends of the posts 16 and 18.

Referring next to Fig. 9, the handbag is lined, as shown at 22, and the guide plate 20 is located between the lining 22 and the back wall 24 of the bag body 112.

Reverting now to Fig. 2, the posts 16 and 18 are slidable in mating openings formed at 26 and 28' in the top portion of the bag body. The arrangement is such that the handle may be slid between the up-positionshown in Fig. 3, when the handle is to be used, and the down- ICC position shown in Fig. 2, when the handle is not to be used. In the down-position the top bar 14 of the handle rests along or near the top of the handbag. The top bar remains visible, but the handle is out of the way, so that the bag may be carried in ones hand or under ones arm, just as is done with an ordinary envelope bag.

The bag body here shown is a typical envelope bag of the frameless type. It has end gussets, one of which is shown at 30 in Fig. 4. The bag is closed by a cover or iiap 31, which may be held closed by a snap fastener or similar device, not shown.

In the preferred form here shown the handle is made up of a pair of reversely arranged channels formed of sheet metal. This construction may be described with reference to Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawing. In Fig. 6 it will be seen that the handle comprises an outside channel 32 and an inside channel 34, these being reversely related to give the handle a closed section. The side walls 36 of the. outside channel are notched or mitered as shown at 38 (Fig. 7) to facilitate bending the same at right-angles at the corner of the handle. In Fig. 3 this is indicated by the diagonal line 38. In Fig. 7 the post portion 16 has not yet been fully bent relative to the top bar portion 14, thus leaving some opening at 38. The inside channel 34 is simply slit at its sidewalls, as is indicated at 40 in Fig. 7. It will be understood that when the channels are fitted together the top bar and the posts have the closed section shown in Fig. 6.

The posts of the outside channel are longer than the posts of the inside channel, for the latter stop at the top edge of the guide. plate 20. The outside wall of the outside channel is cut away flush with the lower end of the inside channel, that is, at the point 42 in Fig. 8. This leaves depending flat strips 44 and 46 which stradd'le the guide plate 20; The strip 44 is cut shorter than the strip 46, and the lower end of the latter is bent sidewardly and upwardly as shown in 48. The guide plate 20' is preferably notched, as indicated at 50, to locate the post relative to the guide plate. The notch 5'0 is also clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Reverting to Fig. 8, the sidewalls 44 and 46 are preferably stepped inward or shouldered somewhat, as indicated at 52. Because of the described construction, the guide plate 20 is rigidly secured at the lower ends of the posts 16 and' 18. The plate 20 cannot move upward because it abuts the inside channel, and also abuts the outside wall of the outside channel. It cannot move downward because of the reversely bent end 48. It cannot move horizontally because of the notches 50.

The channels are preferably made of sheet metal which is either rustproof in character, or suitably treated or plated to makethe same rustproof, and to improve the appearance of the handle. The guide plate 20 rnay be stamped out of inexpensive berboard which is fairly rigid. This results in a saving in weight and cost, anddoes not detract from the appearance of the bag because the plate is concealed from view.

It will be understood that this berboard plate 20 acts both as a stop plate and a guide plate. It acts as a stop plate when the handle is raised because at that time the upper edge of the` plate reaches the top of the handbag at the openings for the posts, as shown in Fig. 9. The plate 2U, acts as a guide when the handle is moved up or down, because it slides between the back wall of the handbag andthe lining at the back of the handbag, as shown in Fig. 9. Both the back wall and the lining are preferably stiffened or reinforced. In Figs. 9 and l0 the back wall 24 is stitfened at 25, but the stiffening of the lining, 22 is not shown. It isv thin. cardboard to which the lining is cemented. The plate 20 is preferably made fairly substantial in area, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, because it then serves to hold the handle in erect position when the handle is raised.

In the particular handbag body here shown the front wall 54, the bottom wall 56 and the rear wall 58 are preferably made of a single piece of material. The gussets may be made of the same piece of material, and in that case are made integral with the front wall 54. The ilap 3l might be made integrally with the back 58, but in the present case is preferably made separately and stitched thereto, as indicated by the line of stitching 6U, best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and l0. The openings in which the handle posts 16 and 18 slide are made by interrupting the stitched seam on each side of each of the posts.

The stitched seam is preferably located somewhat below the toprnost or bent portion of the flap 3l, and a consequence of this is that the seam cannot be seen from the front of the bag. The top bar 14 of the handle is concealed and cannot be seen from the front of the handbag when the handle is in down position as shown in Figs. l and 2.

As so far described the handbag has a single main compartment closed by a single ilap. However, the invention may be used in a bag having two main compartments closed by two aps. Such a modication is illustrated in Fig. 1]., in which the body of the bag is made up of a front wall 7i), a bottom wall 72, and a back wall 74 which may be like the front wall 70. Each end has gussets '76 and '78 connected to a center partition generaily designated S6. The resulting two compartments are closed by separate flaps 82 and Se, each of which may be provided with a snap fastener or like means, not shown. The handle 96 is constructed exactly as previously described, and similarly comprises a top bar 9i) and end posts 92 slidable through openings 94. As before the lower end of the handle is completed by a guide and stop plate 96, and this is slidable between lining walls 98 and T100. These are preferably stilened by thin cardboard to which the lining fabric is cemented. The inner edges of the gussets '76 and 78 are secured to the upright end edges of the partition 80, and the flaps 82 and 84 are secured to outward extensions of the lining walls 98 and 100. lt will be understood that the handle 90 in Fig. 1l may be moved from the 11p-position shown, to a down-position in which the top bar of the handle rests along or near the top of the handbag, at which time the bag may be used as an underarm or clutch bag.

It is believed that the construction and method of assembly of my improved handbag, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in several preferred forms, changes may be made in the structures shown, without departing from the scope of the invention as sought to be defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A slidable handle for a ladies handbag, said handle comprising hollow metal bent to provide a top bar and two end posts, the outside and .inside walls of the posts being cut away at the lower ends and a guide and stop plate secured at the lower ends of the posts between the front and back walls of the posts, the plate being notched to receive the same.

2. A slidable handle for a ladies handbag, said handle comprising hollow metal bent to provide a top bar and two end posts, the outside and inside walls of the posts being cut away at their lower ends and a guide and stop plate secured at the lower ends of the posts between the front and back walls of the posts, the lower end of one of said front and back walls being bent Sidewardly and upwardly around the stop plate.

3. A slidable handle for a ladies handbag, said handle comprising an outside channel made of metal and bent to provide a top bar and two end posts, an inside channel made of metal and received in reverse relation within said outside channel, the posts of the outside channel being longer than those of the inside channel, the outside walls of the posts of the outside channel being cut away below the lower ends of the inside channel, and a guide and stop plate secured at the lower ends of the posts between the front and back walis of the outside channel below the lower ends of the inside channel, the said plate being notched to receive the same.

4. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body having a lining, and a hollow handle including a top bar and two end posts, the outside and inside walls of the posts being cut away and a guide and stop plate secured at the lower ends of the posts between the front and back walls of the posts below the lower ends of the outside and inside walls, the said plate being notched to receive the posts, said posts being slidable in mating openings in the top portion of the handbag body, said guide plate being concealed by and slidable behind the aforesaid lining, and said handle being movable between an up-position in which the stop plate rises to the top of the handbag, and a down-position in which the top bar of the handle rests near the top of the handbag.

5. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body having a lining, and a handle, said handle including an outside channel made of sheet metal and bent to provide a top bar and two end posts, an inside channel made of sheet metal and received in reverse relation within said outside channel, the posts of the outside channel being longer than those of the inside channel, the outside walls of the posts of the outside channel being cut away below the lower ends of the inside channel, and a guide and stop plate secured at the lower ends of the posts between the front and back walls of the outside channel below the lower ends of the inside channel, the lower end of one of said front and back walls being bent sidewardly and upwardly around said plate, said posts being slidable in mating openings in the top portion of the handbag body, said guide plate being concealed by and slidable behind the aforesaid lining, and said handle being movable between an up-position in which the stop plate rises to the top of the handbag, and a down-position in which the top bai of the handle rests near the top of the handbag.

6. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body with end gussets, a ap to close the same, a lining, and a handle including an outside channel made of sheet metal and bent to provide a top bar and two end posts, an inside channel made of sheet metal and received in reverse relation within said outside channel, the posts of the outside channel being longer than those of the inside channel, the outside walls of the posts of the outside channel being cut away below the lower ends or" the inside channel, and a guide and stop plate secured at the lower ends of the posts between the front and back walls of the outside channel below the lower ends of the inside channel, the said plate being notched to receive the posts, said posts being slidable in mating openings in the top portion of the handbag body, said guide plate being concealed by and slidable behind the aforesaid lining, and said handle being movable between an up-position in which the stop plate rises to the top of the handbag, and a down-position in which the top bar of the handle near the top of the handbag.

7. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body, a double lining extending from one end of the bag to the other for dividing the bag into two compartments, and a single handle having a top bar and posts and at stili material of substantial area concealed between the two sides of the aforesaid double lining and secured edgewise to the lower ends of the posts to act as guide and stop means for the handle, said posts being slidably received through mating openings in the top portion of the bag body, and said handle being movable between an up position in which the guide and stop material rises to the top of the handbag and a down position in which the top bar of the handle rests along the top of the handbag.

8. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body, two gussets at each end of the bag with a double partition lining extending from one end of the bag to the other end of the bag for dividing the bag into two compartments between said gussets, two flaps for closing the two sides of the bag, and a single handle having a top bar and posts and at stiff material of substantial area secured edgewise to the lower ends of the posts to act as guide and stop means for the handle, said posts being slidably received through openings at the top of the bag between the two flaps, while the guide and stop material of the handle is concealed between the two sides of the double lining which partitions the bag, and said handle being movable between up position in which the guide and stop material rises to the top of the handbag and a down position in which the top bar of the handle rests along the top of the handbag.

9. A ladies handbag or" the envelope type, comprising a handbag body, a double partition lining extending from one end of the bag to the other end of the bag for dividing the bag into two compartments, a double flap disposed f over the top of the bag for closing the two sides of the bag, one side of the double partition lining being extended sidewardly to form a lining for one tiap, the other side of the double partition being extended sidewardly in opposite direction to form a lining for the other ap, a single handle having a top bar and upright end posts, said posts being slidable in mating openings at the top of the bag between the two aps and extending downward between the two sides of the double lining, and flat stiff material of substantial area concealed between the sides of said double lining and secured edgewise to the lower ends of the posts to act as guide and stop means for the handle, said handle being movable between an up position in which the stop means rises to the top of the handbag and a down position in which the top bar of the handle rests near the top of the handbag.

10. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body the outside of which is a single piece of material bent to U shape, with a double gusset closing each end of the bag, a double partition lining extending from one end of the bag to the other end of the bag for dividing the bag into two compartments between said gussets, material acting as a double tlap disposed over the top of the bag for closing the two sides of the bag, one side of the double partition lining being extended sidewardly to form a lining for one ap, the other side of the double partition being extended sidewardly in opposite direction to form a lining for the other ilap, a single handle having a top bar, smooth upright end posts, said posts being slidable in mating openings at the top of the bag between the two aps and extending downward between the two sides of the double lining, and stop means concealed between the sides of said double lining and. secured to the lower ends of the posts, said handle being movable between an up position in which the stop means rises to the top of the handbag and a down position in which the top bar of the handle rests near the top of the handbag.

11. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body the outside of which is a single piece of material bent to U shape, with a double gusset closing each end of the bag, a double partition lining extending from one end of the bag to the other end of the bag for dividing the bag into two compartments between said gussets, material acting as a double ap disposed over the top of the bag for closing the two sides of the bag, one side of the double partition lining being extended side- Wardly to form a lining for one ap, the other side of the double partition being extended sidewardly in opposite direction to form a lining for the other iiap, a single handle having a top bar, smooth upright end posts, said posts being slidable in mating openings at the top of the bag between the two flaps and extending downward between the two sides of the double lining, and thin at Stiff material of substantial area concealed between the sides of said double lining and secured edgewise to the lower ends of the posts to act as guide and stop means for the handle, said handle being movable between an up position in which the stop means rises to the top of the handbag and a down position in which the top bar of the handle rests near the top of the handbag.

12. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body, two gussets at each end of the bag with a double partition lining extending from one end of the bag to the other end of the bag for dividing the bag into two compartments between said gussets, two aps for closing the two sides of the bag, and a single handle having a top bar and posts and stop means secured to the lower ends of the posts, said posts being slidably received through openings at the top of the bag between the two flaps, said stop means being concealed between the two sides of the double lining which partitions the bag, and said handle being movable between an up position in which the stop means rise to the top of the handbag and a down position in which the top bar of the handle rests along the top of the handbag.

13. A ladies handbag of the envelope type, comprising a handbag body, a double partition lining extending from one end of the bag to the other end of the bag for dividing the bag into two compartments, a double ap disposed over the top of the bag for closing the two sides of the bag, one side of the double partition lining being extended sidewardly to form a lining for one ap, the other side of the double partition being extended sidewardly in opposite direction to form a lining for the other ap, said partition and lining Serving to secure the double ap to the handbag body, a single handle having a top bar and upright end posts, said posts being slidable in mating openings at the top of the bag between the two aps and extending downward between the two sides of the double lining, and stop means concealed between the sides of said double lining and secured to the lower ends of the posts, said handle being movable between an up position in which the stop means rise to the top of the handbag and a down position in which the top bar of the handle rests near the top of the handbag.

14. A rigid metal slidable handle for a ladies handbag, said handle comprising sheet metal bent to form a hollow metal tube, said tube being bent to inverted U shape to provide a rigid top bar and two rigid end posts, a seam of said tube being located at the inside of the handle where it is least visible, and a guide and stop plate made of a strip of breboard or equivalent material which is flexible transversely but not edgewise, secured in the lower ends of the posts between front and back wall portions of the posts.

15. A ladies handbag as dened in claim 12, in which the stop means consists of a single dat plate secured edgewise to the lower ends of both of the posts.

16. A ladies handbag as deiined in claim 13, in which the stop means consists of a single iiat plate secured edgewise to the lower ends of both of the posts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,011,880 Stein Aug. 20, 1935 2,096,895 Halpin Oct. 26, 1937 2,318,563 Smith May 4, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 458,711 Germany July 27, 1928 736,510 France Nov. 24, 1932 929,661 France Ian. 5, 1948 

